MANILA, Philippines - Militant groups did not listen to the 4th State of the Nation Address of President Benigno Aquino III on Monday, saying nothing new will be discussed but empty promises.
Members of various people's organizations, including Anakpawis partylist, Alliance of Concerned Teachers, transport group Piston , and militant group Bayan, held a program along Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and dubbed it People's SONA.
According to the estimate of the Quezon City Police District, about 5,000 protesters trooped to the area but Bayan said protesters were about 12,000.
Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes said he was able to catch a portion of the speech of President Aquino.
Reyes noted that Aquino merely justified the ongoing the ongoing demolition of urban communities, particularly of informal settlers.
"Parang sinasabi niya na kasalanan ng mahirap kasi tamad sila, wala silang trabaho...eh wala namang source of livelihood dun sa relocation site," he said.
For his part, Piston national president George San Mateo said they opted not to listen to the President's SONA because the groups already know of the framework from which the speech will be based.
"Ang attitude namin ay 'di na namin pakikinggan kasi alam na namin 'yung framework tulad ng privatization," San Mateo said.
During Aquino's speech, militant groups burned the 13-foot high effigy of the Chief Executive along Commonwealth Avenue.
The members of the various organizations dispersed from the area before 5 p.m.